Chapter 136 Chapter 136 The First Sole Shot...
There are some older people, but they are very few.
There weren't many candidates his age. He'd heard there were only six students from Songshan Academy, and if you count the other academies in the capital, there probably weren't many. However, he had the same height as Xiao Xun, and having been well-fed since childhood, he was taller than his peers, so he didn't stand out in the crowd.
There are five county examinations this year. Lin Qiuran is very concerned about this matter and has a deep understanding of it.
From the first to the last exam, the ranking of each exam is announced every few days, which means that you can only take the second exam after passing the first one. However, according to her understanding, the first exam is relatively easy, and those who can write fluently can be admitted.
Lin Qiuran also found out that the examination hall faced south and candidates were searched all over their bodies before entering to prevent them from bringing cheat sheets.
Lin Qiuran prepared Tangyuan's exam supplies. There were no words on his clothes or the exam papers.
There were many people taking the exam, and officials called the roll before dawn. Candidates entered the examination room with exam baskets filled with stationery and food. The food was also prepared by Lin Qiuran, including dried meat, braised eggs, meat cakes...all of which were filling and non-perishable.
Yesterday, Lin Qiuran had instructed Tangyuan that during the exam, the test paper would be marked with red lines, with twelve lines per page and twenty characters per line. They would also give him a few sheets of rough paper for drafting. Both the test paper and the rough draft must be written in regular script, with absolutely perfect handwriting. Answers must not cross the red lines.
The draft of the test paper must not be filled with random marks to avoid suspicion of cheating. Before the exam, Mr. Huang must be the guarantor, and a three-generation check must be conducted to ensure that the candidate is not the descendant of a prostitute, actor, or official. Xiao Xun is now an official, so these are still easy.
But there were many requirements, including many small and insignificant ones, which Lin Qiuran had told Tangyuan in advance.
Before getting off the carriage, she reminded him again that the exam must be well-written and the words must be correct, and the names of temples, emperors and saints must not be violated. The first test was two essays from the Four Books and a five-character six-rhyme poem.
After giving his instructions, Lin Qiuran patted Tangyuan on the shoulder and said, "Don't be nervous. Just do your best. If you have any questions, please ask the examiner. Don't be afraid. Your parents are waiting for you outside."
Sun also came. The early spring morning was cold, so she dressed warmly and tied her hair neatly with a white jade hairpin. There was heartache and anxiety in her eyes. "I'll go home and make you your favorite food tonight. It's okay. We have everything at home and we don't need anything. It's okay."
Tang Yuan nodded and told Lin Qiuran and Sun to go back quickly. "Mom, you don't have to wait at the entrance of the examination room. I'm going in to take the exam. You should just do what you need to do. It's boring to just wait and worry about it when you can't help. Just do what you need to do. Go shopping and watch a play. Don't worry."
How could she not be worried? Sun and Lin Qiuran took two steps forward. As they were about to reach the examination hall, Tangyuan couldn't help but sigh, "Grandma, you guys can go back. Grandma, don't be nervous. You're so nervous. I'm the one taking the exam, not you. I'm fine, so why are you so nervous?"
Sun twitched her lips helplessly. How could she not be nervous? She was the only child in the family, and she was already taking the exam at such a young age.
At least children of other ages can take care of themselves, but Tangyuan is only six years old.
Lin Qiuran said, "Don't worry about your grandmother. Go in quickly. I'll take your grandmother to the street to buy some things. When you come back in the evening, we'll go out to eat."
Tangyuan nodded and walked into the examination room with brisk steps. His figure gradually overlapped with a group of children and finally disappeared at the door of the examination room.
Lin Qiuran thought about it and decided that he had not forgotten anything, so he took Sun back home.
Sun's legs felt weak. "I don't care if he does well in the exam, I just want him to come out safely."
Lin Qiuran smiled and said, "Mom, he's not going to war, you don't have to worry. I've hired a troupe of actors for you to watch. Today will pass quickly."
Worrying actually makes time go by slower.
Sun had no mood to watch the show, but Lin Qiuran had already invited her, so the money couldn't be wasted.
The day was incredibly long for Sun. It was only just beginning to dawn when they returned, which showed how early they'd been out. They were up early and working late, like feeding chickens. Taking an exam, with all the checks and stuff, wasn't easy.
Lin Qiuran was glad that he had told Sun not to spoil the child, as everything he did would be hard. However, studying for the exam was definitely easier than setting up a stall at home and getting up early to buy meat and cook. If he didn't study now, he might have to set up a stall in the future.
He can't always rely on his elders, he still needs to have the ability to stand on his own feet.
Lin Qiuran comforted Sun with a few words and then went on to get busy. It was the spring planting season in February, and the harvest from the farm now accounted for most of the family's income.
All she had to do was send him in, as there were still several exams to come. After the county exam, there was the prefectural exam, and then there were other exams to come. Each exam took a long time, so she couldn't stay there all the time.
She breathed a sigh of relief, hoping that she would know all the questions this year without being careless. Even if there were some questions she didn't know, she would be able to guess them right. Hopefully, she would be able to finish the exam safely.
Most of these children were taking the exam for the first time, and there were many children from aristocratic families among them. Many servants from the mansions were guarding outside the examination hall, including those from the Dingyuan Earl's Mansion, who would come back from time to time to report to Lin Qiuran.
This morning, three people came out due to stomachache. One of them was even carried out. His face was pale and he was sweating profusely. Now that he is out, he definitely cannot go back to take the exam again. All his efforts for a year have been wasted.
There was someone who cheated in the exam room today. Although he was not allowed to bring cheat sheets, he still found a way to help cheat in the exam room and was caught.
It is pitiful to see an eight or nine-year-old child being frightened to the point of tears.
Lin Qiuran asked the servant, "Haven't you seen the young master?"
The servant shook his head. "No, they are all from other mansions. Lin Yang and I are guarding them. If there is anything, we will come back to tell you, so as to pass the time. There seems to be one from the Marquis's Mansion. I know him personally, but it's embarrassing to say it."
Lin Qiuran breathed a sigh of relief and said, "If it has nothing to do with the young master, just stay over there and don't come back every time something happens. You can tell me anything interesting tomorrow."
Every time Tangyuan came back suddenly, Lin Qiuran would be worried, always fearing that something might happen to him.
The servant chuckled and said, "I understand. I'll go back and guard it now."
The sun slowly moved from the sky to the west, dusk fell, and Lin Qiuran became nervous again.
The family agreed not to mention the exam while talking about Tangyuan noodles, nor to ask him whether he did well in the exam. Lin Qiuran also asked for a day off for him tomorrow so he doesn't have to go to the academy.
But when Tang Yuan came back, he told Lin Qiuran and Xiao Xun that he had done well on the test today, "Mom, there's no need to ask for leave tomorrow. I'll review my lessons and go back to the academy."
There are still four exams to go, so we can't slack off.
Moreover, Tang Yuan didn't feel too tired today. He was no longer as spoiled as he was when he was little. Instead, he said to Lin Qiuran, "Mom, the food you prepared for me was delicious. I'm not hungry at all after eating it."
Lin Qiuran smiled and said, "Then I'll prepare it for you next time."
Tang Yuan also smiled, "Okay."
Lin Qiuran felt that since Tangyuan felt that he had done well in the exam, he should have passed the first round. The rankings would be announced in three days, and the name Xiao Lian would be at the top.
Not only was he in, he also got first place in the exam.
Sun couldn't believe it and kept asking Lin Qiuran, "Are you saying that our Tangyuan is only six years old this year, but he passed the exam with those who are two or three years older than him?"
Lin Qiuran hid a smile in her eyes, but didn't show she was too happy. She nodded, "Mom, that's right."
Sun patted her chest, almost fainting with excitement. She grabbed Lin Qiuran's sleeve and couldn't help but say, "Oh my God, Qiuran, our Tangyuan is so capable."
She'd been a Buddhist for years, but she didn't think it had anything to do with Buddha's blessing. If she'd been last, she could have attributed it to good luck. But she'd gotten first place, which wasn't something anyone could get.
If you can pass the exam with the blessing of Buddha, then you will pray to the gods and Buddha. Who would bother to study hard?
Lin Qiuran said, "But since he got first place this time, he will have to sit in the front in the next exam."
The closer you are to the examiner, the greater the pressure.
Last time, Lin Qiuran heard from the servant that two more people were carried out at noon. Their faces were pale and their hands and feet were shaking. They probably couldn't bear it. The exam not only tests academic knowledge, but also the ability to withstand pressure and psychological quality.
Of course, Lin Qiuran also felt that Tangyuan was very impressive for getting the first place among a group of people who were two or three years older than him.
Sun kept saying, "It's really amazing. What's the big deal about sitting in the front? Tangyuan is not afraid. This time, we have to prepare more delicious food for her."
Sun couldn't help laughing. This was because the family was divided and there was no ancestral tomb at home. Otherwise, she would definitely say that the ancestral tomb was smoking.
The second exam will be held tomorrow, and there will be five exams in a row, continuing until March.
He was searched, entered the examination room, and came out only when the sun was setting. Tangyuan always ranked first, and he got the first place in the county examination.
There will be a provincial examination in April, which will consist of three sessions. Only after passing the provincial examination can Tangyuan be considered a student, and only then will he be eligible to take the examination for a scholar.
Lin Qiuran saw the exam as a game of passing levels, from easy to difficult, and overcoming each level became increasingly difficult. Many people failed in their studies and took the exams to become scholars, juren, and finally became officials in the court. It was as difficult as climbing to the sky, and one had to climb up step by step.
In comparison, the imperial examination was fair, but if you looked deeper, it wasn't fair either. Lin Qiuran had hired a teacher for Tang Yuan, and he had been tutoring her.
Talent is important, but hard work is also important.
His brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone were always of the finest quality; students from other counties or farming families didn't have such good facilities. Naturally, Tangyuan's success on the exam was due to his diligence; everything else was just icing on the cake. After a year of hard work, he spent his days and nights studying during the New Year holidays. He was a diligent student, never letting his intelligence lead him to slack off.
There were a total of six people from Zhongshan Academy who took the Tongshi exam at the same age as Tangyuan. Three of them passed, and the remaining two did not rank high, but it was already very good to pass the exam two years early.
Mr. Huang was very satisfied and happy. He gave Tangyuan a few days off and asked Sun to take him back to the farm.
After playing for two days, Lin Qiuran immediately prepared a valuable gift and brought him to Mr. Huang's home to express his gratitude and discuss his future schooling.
Lin Qiuran knew very well that Tangyuan’s ranking was due to Mr. Huang’s contribution. Without tutoring, the ranking would not have been so high.
As soon as the master spoke, Lin Qiuran sent the maid out with the dumplings. Mr. Huang was very pleased. "Xiao Lian is very talented and intelligent, and he is able to concentrate and work hard. This is the result of the master's words and deeds. Madam has brought him up well."
Lin Qiuran said modestly, "Ten of our words wouldn't be as effective as one from you. It's all thanks to the teacher's teaching. As the saying goes, a good teacher benefits a person for a lifetime. Xiao Lian often thinks of you and says that without you, he wouldn't have gotten this rank on the exam. You explained many of the questions, which made them so easy to answer."
Mr. Huang smiled and said, "He is very smart and he understands it quickly. Others have also said so."
Seeing that Mr. Huang was interested, Lin Qiuran hurriedly said, "If Xiao Lian can receive your guidance in the future, it will be his blessing."
Mr. Huang said, "That's exactly what I meant."
Lin Qiuran mentally put the idea of becoming a disciple on the agenda. She complimented him a few times, and Mr. Huang also had genuine plans for Tang Yuan. "It's only a few days until the end of the month, so why not return to the academy at the beginning of next month? He's been working hard lately, so he should have a few more days off. Sometimes he can't study too hard, which would be bad. Then he can study with the other students who passed the Tongsheng exam. Xiao Lian is not short, so you won't be able to tell at the academy. If you're worried, you can still go home every night for the first month. Once he gets used to it, it's better to live in the academy."
The journey back and forth takes an hour, which would be great if this time could be used for reading.
Lin Qiuran smiled and nodded, "Sir, that's right."
Mr. Huang said, "Study for two years and then take the exams for the scholar or juren degree. There's no rush after that. Just studying won't cut it. When you're old enough, you should travel and learn, experience the various aspects of life. What you learn in books is still superficial. Don't worry about him suffering. A man should be upright and self-reliant, but if he doesn't have more knowledge, it's just empty talk. Even if he becomes an official in the future, it will be just empty talk..."
Mr. Huang realized that he had said too much, but seeing that Lin Qiuran was listening attentively, he smiled and said to his wife, "Madam, prepare the food. I will talk to Madam Lin again at noon."
Mr. Huang's wife was an extremely gentle and quiet woman, in her forties, with soft features and a gentle voice. "Well, I'll go right away."
Lin Qiuran said, "I shouldn't refuse if the Master and Madam want me to stay, but please don't bother."
Mr. Huang said, "It's just plain food, don't be disgusted. Let's continue."
*
After more than half an hour, Lin Qiuran brought Tangyuan out of the Huang family's house. Tangyuan was jumping and skipping. He said, "Mom, I want to go to the farm to ride horses tomorrow. I haven't ridden a horse for a long time. I think Bai Xue won't recognize me."
Bai Xue is Tangyuan's horse. He grew up with him and was named this because of his snow-white fur. He used to be very small, but now he has become majestic.
Lin Qiuran said hello.
Tang Yuan: "When Dad is free, let's go on an outing. Didn't Mom say we can have barbecue? I haven't tried that yet."
Lin Qiuran's eyes curved, "I'll ask your father, and we'll pick a date to go there."
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